Fragrant Rivers of Wisdom
An Invitation to Buddhist-Christian Dialogue
Foreword by Laju Balani
Imprint: Cascade Books
Buddhism and Christianity are ancient, rich, and multivalent wisdom spirituality traditions that often have insightful similarities as well as distinct perspectives from entirely different starting points. Fragrant Rivers of Wisdom explores some of these paths and encourages readers to gain, as far as is possible, a participant's appreciation of another faith. This book aims to help readers celebrate and enjoy the rich wisdom legacies of a teacher revealing a pure lotus blossoming from mud and the legacies of a peasant Jewish carpenter from Galilee revealing love on a cross. Both teachers share the power of love, the joys of healing encouragement, and the creative resources of spirit-filled living. Their ancient words and their modern communities still following these paths are dynamically relevant for our modern context of confusion and challenge.
A. Christian van Gorder is an Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and World Religions at Baylor University. He is the author of Jews and Christian Together (Cascade, 2020) and No God but God (2003).
“Fragrant Rivers of Wisdom has merit to promote creative thinking and enhance respectful listening for interfaith engagement between Buddhists and Christians. It is well written, serving as a resource of cherished respect and incarnational vision. Christian faith meets and speaks to Buddhist wisdom to search for common ground and mutual agreement.”
—Paul S. Chung, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
“Van Gorder demonstrates that no religion has a monopoly of ‘wisdom spirituality’ and that Buddhists and Christians, although different, have much in common—more than enough to work together creatively for a better world. His additional argument that Christians should seek forgiveness for ‘centuries of dismissiveness’ and exclusivist arrogance toward other religions is pertinent and timely. The flavor of this book is positive and refreshing.”
—Elizabeth J. Harris, former President, European Network of Buddhist-Christian Studies
“Through an engaging, creative introduction to Buddhism, the author invites other Christians into new avenues of Buddhist-Christian dialogue. The conversation van Gorder envisions is characterized by humility, trust, and commitment to one’s own tradition, and its goal is shared action for social justice, deeper interfaith friendships, and fresh insights. This is an enjoyable, informative book for Christians at any stage of their interfaith journey.”
—Kristin Johnston Largen, President, Wartburg Theological Seminary
“As growing numbers of committed Christians choose to engage in ‘respectful dialogue’ with committed Buddhists, the uninitiated to this form of engagement may wonder what ‘respectful dialogue’ entails. Fragrant Rivers of Wisdom, taken as a whole, is an excellent introduction. Not an analytical, intellectual introduction, but one based on van Gorder’s personal experience of living among Asian Buddhists. As it turns out, the path of ‘respectful dialogue’ leads to a new cadre of warm friends with whom we can both disagree and love deeply. Recommended.”
—Terry Muck, Asbury Theological Seminary, retired
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